Ronald Douglas Walker
Ronald Douglas Walker, born Oct. 16, 1937, in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, passed peacefully and unexpectedly at Victoria Hospital in London, Ontario on Thursday, March 7, with his daughters by his side.
From his humble prairie childhood, Ron’s passion for creativity was ignited by the movie, Lust for Life, the 1956 Vincent Van Gogh biopic, and he never looked back.
After attending art school in Regina and Vancouver, he eventually moved to Toronto where he became heavily involved in the city’s art scene, while earning a B.A. degree at the University of Toronto. Upon graduating from teachers’ college in 1964, Ron found his professional calling as an educator, first in Toronto, and later in Clinton at Central Huron Secondary School.
Ron brought his love of art with him to Huron County, where he was known as a prolific landscape painter. He and his wife Bev founded the Blyth Festival Art Gallery and volunteered to help numerous community projects, while simultaneously fixing up a derelict property and lovingly raising their family.
Ron’s Bohemian passion for life was infectious and endlessly inspiring. He lived every waking moment with a joyful energy that drew people of all ages to his magnetic personality.
Swimming in Lake Huron, travelling the world, eating, drinking, painting, reading and appreciating films were all approached with a sense of delight and adventure. A self-proclaimed “extrovert hermit”, Ron was always ready to lend you a hand or hand you a libation.
He was a loving husband, a wonderful father, a doting grandfather, a consummate teacher and friend. He will be sorely and deeply missed.
He is survived by his loving daughters Shawna and Tammy, his son-in-law Damon, and his granddaughters Myelle and Iyla.
A celebration of life for Ron and Bev will be announced in the coming months.
In lieu of flowers and as expressions of sympathy, donations to Huron Hospice or Alexandra Marine and General Hospital in Goderich would be appreciated.
Condolences may be left at riversidefuneralhome.ca